smith



W. F. SMITH.

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED TYPE WRITERr.

APPLICATION men act. 11. m1.

Patented Dec. 9,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET] 174x F T g HINZENTOR. V

-ATTORNEYS.

W. F. SMITH.

ELECTRICALLY OPERkTED*TYPE WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I7, 1917.

Patented Dec. 9, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A TTORN E YS.

E. SMITH.

ELECTRlCALLY OPERATED TYPE WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-[7,191].

Patented Dec. 9, 1919.

3 SIHEETS-SHEET a.

mnmm M I I MI 4 I mmmmn ATTORNEYS; I

WILLIAM F. SMITH, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED TYPE-WRITER.

Specification of letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9, 1919.

Application filed October 17, 1917. Serial No, 197,082.

To all aohom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM F. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at the 'city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrically- Operated Type-Vvriters, of which the following is a specification.

The hereinafter described invention relates to electrically controlled means for actuating a typewriter of standard construction, the objects thereoi are to produce a quiet or silent actioned apparatus, the controlling parts of which shall be simple in construction and efficient in operation; and one wherein the type of keys may be thrown into action without the heavy blow at the present time required to be given the key action in typewriters for throwing the type key against the platen roll of the machine; to provide means to dispense with the levers now in common use and which produce the annoying click noise so common in typewriter machines, and to provide for the utilization of electric energy during the operation of the machine to take the place of the present manual labor.

In the present invention, the platen roll, instead of being sent forward step by step through the action of a coiled spring, is sent forward by the action of an armature actuated by magnets which are energized by the closing contact controlled by the movement of the finger keys, the said armature carrying a dog adapted for engagement with and advancing a dog-wheel one tooth at a time, and, by so doing, imparting a step by step action to the platen roll. During the first portion of the downward movement of either of the finger keys for the type-bars, there is closed a contact for producing the action just referred to, and a further downward movement of said finger keys makes a second contact which closes a circuit and throws into action means for operating or throwing the type bars to cause the printing on the platen, and which type bars on a release of pressure from the finger keys immediately drop back to normal position.

In order to comprehend the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the typewriter, with certain parts thereof removed, in order to more clearly show the working arrangements of one part with another.

Fig. 2 is a. front elevation of the typewriter broken away, certain of the parts being removed.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation with the frame of the machine partly broken away, said view illustrating certain of the finger keys and the contacts associated therewith and the magnets for controlling the operation of the armature for actuating the type bars, the position of the type bars when raised being illustrated in dotted lines.

Fig. at is a detailed View of the mechanism for imparting a step by step movement to the platen for securing the proper letter spacing.

Fig. 5 is a broken detailed view illustrating two of the finger keys and the separated contacts associated therewith.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of the step 'by step actuating mechanism disclosed by Fig. 4 of the drawings, illustrating the mechanism for actuating the type bar and disclosing the connections between the controlling magnets, the battery and the contacts for the finger keys.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view ofthe means for imparting step by step movement to the platen roll.

Referring to the several sheets of drawlugs and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the numeral 1, is used to designate the main frame or casing of thestypewriter, which houses and supports the various internal working parts of the apparatus and the means for throwing into action the electrically controlled mechanism of the machine. Within the keyboard portion of the machine is mounted for free vertical movement the depressible spring held finger keys 2, which keys are mounted in the ordinary manner common to typewriters of standard make. The spacing b r for controllin the rotatable movement 0 l the platen is nated by the numeral 3, and the finger keys for raising the platen to position the same to receive the imprint of capital letters and the numerals of the typewriter are designated by the numeral 4:, while the keys for controlling the ordinary tabulating mechanism of the typewriter are represented by the numerals 5, but such tabulating mechanism forms no part of the present invention. Within the frame of the machine is located a series of coiled magnets 7, there beesigfinger keys 2 of the apparatus, as will be seen by reterence to Figs. 1, 2, and (3 of the drawings, and inasmuch as the said finger keys and their associated parts are duplicates, the description of one will sutlice for the others. For each pair of magnets 7 there is provided a pivoted armature 8, which said armature is thrown into action by the said coiled magnets T when energized on the closing of the finger keys contacts. The said armature, Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings, is pivotally mounted at its inner end on an axle or rod 12 extended throughout the length of the machine and which serves as a common axle or supporting rod for the'armaturcs 8. each armature being separated one from the other by means of suitable washers, not hown on the drawings. The inner end of each oi said armatures when in lowered position bears or rests on and is supported by a projection or extension t) of a toothed oscillator 9, Figs. 1, 3 and ti ot" the drawings. there be,- ing an oscillator for each armature S, which said oscillators are mounted 't'or tree swinging movement on an axle or supporting rod 11, held within the frame of the machine and extending throughout the length thereof and which serves 'as a common supporting rod or ha it for the series ot swinging oscillators 9. which like the armatures 8, are separated one from the other by means'of washers placed on the rod or sha it 11. These oscillators 9. are tree to swing through the action of the armature 8, when the armature is drawn downwardly on the energizing t the, magnets T. the tree end thereof at such times exerting a downward pressure on the extension t) of the oscilla tor 9 and by the pressure exerted thereon throwing the same t'orwardly relative to the axle or supporting shaft 11. The weight of each swinging oscillator is so proportioned relative to its pivotal axis. so as to cause the same to normally stand inwardly thrown, when the armature 8 away from the magnets 7. vllach swinging oscillator J is provided with a tooth or gear section 5)". which meshes with the tooth or rack section 10 of a type bar 10, which type bars are pivotally mounted t their irer end. on a iii axle or si porting rod 12'.'wl.lch is secured within the frame of the machine and extended within the length thereof and serves as a common support for each of the type bars 10. Each type bar 10 at its outer end carries a type head 12", which, when the bar 10 is in lowered position as illustrated by Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings, rests on and is supported by an inwardly extended bracket portion 1 ot' the trout wall portion of the framel.

The supporting shafts or axles 11 and 12 are held within ears 14 and 14" of'a supporting bracket 1& Fig. 3 of the drawings,

porting bracket 1% supported by the member 1% it being understood that there is provided a supfor each end of the rods or axles 11 and 12, the said brackets 14: being suitably held to. the inner side wall of the frame 1 at the machine, while the shaft or axle 12 for the armatures 8 is held or mounted at each end within brackets 15.

The levers 1H for controlling the lift mechanism for the platen roll are actuated -by either of the finger keys -L, said levers being pivoted at substantially the center thereot on the shaft lo. Fig. t, of the drawings. and constituting a pivoted frame which is thrown into action by the movement of either of the keys 4*, when it is desired to raise the inner end portion thereof to lift the platen roll to position the same to receive an imprint from the capital letter sections of the type head of the type bars 10. ()n the inner portion of the said pivoted frame rests the lower portion of a vertically disposed portion 17 of a rec tangular t'rame. the end walls of which l'rame are slotted as shown at 17 and through which slotted portions are extended the pins l7 t'or holding the same to the inner side wall of the t'rame ot the machine. The upper or grooved longitudinally disposed piece 17 of the said 'ertically movable trame 1T constitutes a guide rail on which is longitudinally movable the frame is which supports the platen 19. which said roll at one end carries a toothed wheel 20. the purpose of which is to impart step by step rotation to the said platen when the carriage is returned to starting position said wheel being actuated by a dog 2]. tulcrumed as at 2;. Fig. i, of the drawings To the. ears 2 .5 otthe frame, 18. Fig. 3 of the drawings are pivotally connected the ends of gitudinal sha't't 23,011 which are mounted the usual paper pressure rolls .26, the said end members of the frame 18 being pivot-ally connected at their-inner end as at if) to the carriage 3b. which said carriage is longitudinally slidable on the main frame 1, as is usual in the ordinary typewriter construction. and the same is operated to move longitudinally by a. toothed wheel 34, which engages the rack teeth Iii formed on the end of the depending rear wall portion of the carriage 2&0. The pressure rolls rest on the upper surface of the platen l.) and retain the upwardly extending portion of the paper in contact with the platen. The portion ot the paper lying adjacent the under surface of the platen is held in contact therewith by other pressure roils 27 carried on a. rodQT supported at its ends by the t'ulcrumcd arms 27*. the rolls being held in contact with the paper by springs :27. The shaft carrying the tooth wheel 3-1, Figs. 4 and U of the For this drawings is rigidly attached by a collar 33 to a dog tooth gear 33, which gear is actuated by a pawl 3t carried at the free end of the armature fulcrunied as at 47 and the free end of which is normally raised by the spring t5, the action of which armature is controlled by the energizing of the coiled magnets 36. On the collar 33 connecting the gear to the gear 32, is a coiled spring 3?, the free end of which is attached to the frame of the machine as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, and the purpose of said coiled spring is to cause a reverse movement to the carriage on the release of the gear 33.

On the platen roll reaching the end of its line of travel during the operation of the machine, it is required that the same'be automatically restored to normal osition. purpose, there is provide at one end of the carriage a projecting inclined stud 39, which engages with an rides on the upwardly inclined surface 40, of a tri lever 41, pivoted within its length to the r place an unwinding placing the same out frame of the machine, and with its inner end connected therewith by the spring -12. This trip lever 41, is provided with a downwardly projected dog 43, which is normally in en gagement with the teeth of the gear 33.

owever, as the lug 39 rides over the inclined section 40 of the lever 41, the free end of said lever is depressed or swung downwardly, throwing outwardly the .dog 43, and of engagement with the teeth of the gear 33 and thus releases the said gear. When time released, there takes action of the spring 37, which imparts a rapid reverse rotation or movement to the gear 33, and its associated gear 34 causing the latter gear to return the carriage: with the platen roll to its normal or starting position.'

- Each finger key 2 of the machine is con nected by the wiresc and a to the battery 44 and to the battery 5- respectively controlling the magi ets 36 and 7, the wire a leading from the contact point 2 carried by each key 2, Fig. 6 of the drawings. 0n the downward movement of any of the kevs 2, the contact 2 into contact with the contact plate 2, which contact is connected by the wire 0 through the magnet coils 36 with the battery 44, so that when the contact between the points 2* and 2 is made the circuit is closed through the battery 44 to the magnets 36, which actuates the armature 35 and its described associated parts 34, 33 and 34- and 31 to ad- 'vance the platen roll one space. On the continned downward movement of any one of the keys 2, the contact 2 is depressed until contactis made with the contact 2, which is connected by the wire (Z to the magnets 7 and the battery 45, so that wheii this circuit is closed the magnets 7 m".- encrgized to actuate the armature 3 for throwing the oscontrolled means for carried thereby is first hroiight I cillator 9 to raise the type bar 10 for making an imprint of the letter or number carried by the head 12 onto the platen roll of the machine. Thus, with eachdepression of any of the finger keys 2, the-action is to lirst energize the magnets 36, to operate the armature 35 and its associated parts to advance the platen roll one space, and secondly, to close the clrcuit vto'energize the magnets' 'r', and thereby actuate the armature 8't0 throw the type bar 10 to'make an imprint on the platenroll. There are no electrical circuits established by the depression of the finger keys, 4, 5, or 6, but, on the depression of the spacing bar 3, there is a closing of the contact 3 and 3 which closes the circuits through the wires 4* and t to the magnet 36 and battery 44, energizing the magnets 36 to operate the armature to actuate the gears 33and .34 for advancing the platen frame one space or more in accordance with the number of times in which the spacing bar is actuated.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the actuating mechanism.

, for the typewriter is of such construction as to produce substantially a silent operated machine and one wherein butslight pres sure is required on the finger keys for throwin into action the type bars.

t will he understood that there is a pair of magnet coils 7 for each of the finger operative keys 2, and that for each hey there are two controlled contacts and that a movement of any of said keys first throws into action the electrically controlled spacfor the platen roll and at a subsequent period of time the electrically actuating the type bar.

While the, invention has been described in its preferred embodiment I do not wish to be understood as limiting or confining myself to the detailed construction of the working parts herein shown and described, but wish to cover the invention as broadly as the state of the art will permit.

aving thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to be protected by Letters Patent is:

n a typewriter, the con' hination with depressible finger key for each type-bar, independently controlled electrically operated means common to all of said keys for advancing the carriage one space on one portion of the depressed movement of a finger key, and independently clectri call r controlled means for each type-bar, saic means thrown into action on the conltinued depressed movement of said fiiiger rey.

2. The combination with a typewriter, of a series of pivoted type-bars, a series of independently controlled electrically operated means situated Within the frame of the machine, one for each of the type-bars, a depressible finger key associated with each typebar, a contact carried by each of said keys for closing the circuit controlling the operation of the electrical means for actuating the type-bar associated with the finger key on a depressing thereof, and electrically controlled means common to all of the depressible finger keys for advancing the carriage of the machine on the initial depressing movement of any of the finger keys for actuatiiw a type-bar.

3. T18 combination with a typewriter, of independently controlled electrically operated means within the frame of the machine for advancing the carriage one letter space and actuating the type-bars of the machine, a depressible finger key for the type-bar of the machine, and contacts associated with each key and successively closed on the depressed movement of any key to first close the circuit controlling the action of the electrically operated means for advancing the carriage one letter space and secondly to.

close the circuit controlling action of the electrically operated means for operating the type-bar associated therewith.

4. In a typewriter, the combination with the shiftable carriage thereof, of a plurality of pivotally mounted electrically actuated type-bars, electrically operated spacing means for advancing the carriage a letter space, a depressible finger k associated with each type loaiyand a plurality or circuit controlling means associated with each finger key and successively operated by the depressing of a key to first close the circuit for actuating the electrically controlled spacing means and secondly to close a circuit to actuate the electrically controlled means for operating the type-bar associated with such depressed finger key.

In testimony whereofv I have signed my name to this specification in the presence oi": a subscribing- Witness. 

